Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 06/04/2023 (Period start date) 05/04/24 (Period end date) Charity name: A Community for Change (ACFC)
Charity registration number: 1196539
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The purpose of A Community for Change (ACFC) is to support the public by helping children and young people thrive. We aim to empower parents, carers, and families with the resources they need to better meet the needs of these children and young people. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
While we could not hold our flagship Community Conversations due to limited resources, we remain optimistic about resuming these vital discussions in the coming year. Our other main activity, the Saturday School, was more productive. These sessions have been instrumental in enhancing participants' knowledge in core subjects like Maths, English, and Black History, alongside fostering awareness of mental health and neurodiversity.Of the 39 planned Saturday School sessions, we successfully delivered 34 during the reporting year. The other five sessions were either cancelled or postponed because of a family bereavement or due to unforeseen circumstances. The ages of the participants in the school were between 8 to 14 years. Two of our 34 sessions were led by our students; one session was about Neuro-divergent Dyslexia (a condition that can impact learning); the other was about mental health awareness. Other topics/subjects covered in the |
| reporting year included: Black History Maths and English Geography and History Quiz and Game To consolidate learning, there are quizzes at the end of each term. These quizzes are mostly a review or a reflection of the previous term’s sessions and topics covered. These reviews help young people enhance their knowledge and to recall what they remember. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have taken into account the rules and recommendations from the Charity Commission to ensure the charity is working in the best interests of the public and fulfilling its charitable purpose. The trustees aim is to operate transparently and responsibly, for the public benefit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Eleven volunteers supported our Saturday School during the reporting year: this included the services of an external Mental Health and Wellbeing practitioner. Our sessions have directly supported over 10 young people, instilling self-confidence, improving academic skills, and fostering cultural awareness. Feedback from participants and parents highlights the transformative effect of our work, with one parent noting how ACFC has reignited her daughter’s passion for learning. |
To answer this question here is feedback Other from two participants: 1.“I am really happy that I was introduced to ACFC's Saturday School. Not only has it empowered young people from low-income communities, it has encouraged my daughter's passion for learning as well as building up her self-confidence. This has also encouraged me to lead classes that will increase their knowledge of blac k history and culture that is not shared in mainstream education” – Saturday School, Parent Volunteer 2. “As a young person leading the ACFC Saturday School session on Black history, it taught me to be more confident in my abilities. It improved my communications skills and helped me to understand the importance of planning and flexibility when working with others.” – Young Saturday School Participant
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | ACFC was created in 2020 by voluntary members of the community passionate about setting up a forum to support parents in response to incidents of youth violence in Newham. It became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2021. Since its inception, ACFC has focused its activities through Community Conversations and the Saturday School. During the reporting year however, there has been more focus on the Saturday School. The Saturday School sessions are scheduled to align with school term dates. However, our partner group, Rights and Equalities in Newham (REIN), has hosted additional sessions during half term to encourage broader social engagement to include cooking, arts and crafts and physical education. Through our tailored educational programs, we have successfully supported over 10 students in enhancing their life skills, boosting their confidence, and expanding their knowledge in key subjects such as |
mental health and expanding their cultural awareness. Saturday School strives to contribute to reducing educational inequalities and providing opportunities for social mobility. By empowering young people with support from their parents/carers with the tools to succeed, we are helping to build a more educated, confident, and capable generation.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
See ‘Achievements and Performance’ – Summary of the main achievements… (above). |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other | ACFC is a not-for-profit organisation set up in the quest to realise our vision to give parents and carers a voice by empowering them to be instrumental in the change they want to see for their children in the community. |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Currently relying on volunteers to support the activities of our Saturday School. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £1,000 as a starting donation from The Co- Operative Bank |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Nil |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The principal source of funds are mainly through funding applications but we are able to fulfil our activities with the support of volunteers and trustees. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The principal source of funds are mainly through funding applications |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Financial Sustainability: A potential reduction in funding or donations could impact the charity’s ability to deliver its programs and services at the scale required. Volunteer and Staff Retention: Our programs rely heavily on the support of dedicated volunteers. There is a risk of turnover or difficulty in recruitment, which could affect the quality and consistency of service delivery. |
| Other | N/A |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed,royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | ACFC Constitution as of 12thNovember 2021 |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | ACFC Constitution as of 12thNovember 2021 |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at the properly convened meeting of the trustees With regard the selection of trustees for appointment, the trustees must have regard to the skills knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
Trustees may appoint one of their member to chair meetings and at any time invoke such appointment. If no one is appointed or if the person appointed is unwilling to preside or is not present within 10 minutes after the time of the meeting the Trustees present may appoint one of their member to chair the meeting. A Trustee may not appoint anyone else to act on their behalf at Trustees meetings. A meeting may be held by suitable electronic means agreed by the Trustees in which each participant may communicate with all the other participants. No decisions may be made by the meeting of the Trustees unless a quorum is present at the time the decision is made. “Present” includes being present. Suitable electronic means agreed by the Trustees in which participant or participants may communicate with all the other participants. The quorum shall be two Trustees or one third of the Trustees, whichever is the greater number. A Trustee shall not be counted in the quorum present when any decision is made about a matter upon which that Trustee is not entitled to vote. Questions arising at any meetings shall be |
|---|---|---|
| decided by a majority of votes, each Trustee having one vote. In the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting shall not have a second or casting vote and the resolution shall be lost. |
||
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | There are four people who have the responsibility of being Trustees of ACFC. Their names are listed at the end of this document. They have the role of: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | ACFC are supported in its efforts by two organisations: Rights and Equalities in Newham (REIN) andWipers, a youth justice social enterprise that specialises in working with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. |
| Other | N/A |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | A Community For Change |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | ACFC |
| Registered charity number | 1196539 |
| Charity’s principal address | 1a Cumberland Road Plaistow London E13 8LH |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Thomas | Chairperson | November 2021 | ACFC | |
| Shazad Yasin | Treasurer | November 2021 | ACFC | |
| TonyDavis | Vice Chair | November 2021 | ACFC | |
| Momodou Lamin Sanyang |
Secretary | November 2021 | ACFC | |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| Keith Thomas | Chairperson | |
| Shazad Yasin | Treasurer | |
| Tony Davis | Vice Chair | |
| Momodou Lamin Sanyang | Secretary | |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity
Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| adviser |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/A
Other optional information
As stated within this form, we are a team of four volunteers trying to make a difference in our community despite us having full time jobs.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Keith Thomas
Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc)
Date 30.1.25